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Thanks for the suggestion. I had been using Google Reader around a year ago, and switched over to NetNewsWire for offline support. I just switched back and installed gears to get the offline support I was looking for. Thanks!
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Nick HaddadJul 30 '09 at 15:24

I use the RSSyl plugin for Claws Mail. I'm quite happy with it so far and I like the fact that I only need one application open for mail and feeds. Of course, Google Reader is even more lightweight, but - at least when I used it - it was too unreliable.

I am using RSSOwl for couple of years now. Lots of extra features like HTTP auth-ed feeds, labeling, custom local searches. Embedded browser does not support flash plugin though (at least out of the box), so I occasionally have to fire up browser to see what's going on in the news item. Liferea is another more or less solid (and way more lightweight than RSSOwl) application for Linux.

As for google reader - I don't want my feeds to be used for any third-party profit (like tuning advertising for my interests or whatsoever). The less data you spill onto Google's cloud the better.